Friday, November 5, 2010

What she's doing now ...

[Warning: This is all about a mama gushing about her baby. Sappy and sentimental statements lie ahead.]

Over the last 11 months, I have watched as Baby learned so many new things, all the typical stuff, of course … babbling, waving, crawling, eating, etc. Those were the things I expected her to do. Those were the things I knew to look for, and I was absolutely excited every time we reached a new milestone.

There are other things, though, things that nobody prepares you for, things that cannot be predicted because they are unique to each individual personality.

My daughter growls. Yes, she growls. We ask her what the tiger says, and she growls. It’s the cutest thing. Ever. Sometimes she growls without being prompted. Just because she thinks it’s fun. And it is!

She’s a daredevil. I can tell already. She loves to fall backwards. She’ll sit on the floor and turn in a circle until her back is to me. Then she’ll just free fall. Her excitement is cute, but it scares me to death. I can’t tell you how hard it was to teach her to make sure somebody is behind her before she falls. I’m still not sure she fully comprehends the concept.

When she’s standing next to a toy or the furniture, she’ll push off so that she’s standing on her own for a second or two. Then she laughs and laughs when she falls back to catch herself (or usually I catch her). She seems to love the thrill. I think we’re going to have our hands full!

She also likes to be startled. Peek-a-boo is only fun for her when you catch her off guard. She squeals and giggles, but only if you really spook her. And she loves to get you back. She’ll give her best, “Ah-boo!” and is so delighted when your response is one of shock. I love this little interaction.

She points. She points her little finger and can tell me where my nose is … it’s hysterical to watch her reaction when she can touch her finger to my nose. She seems … proud, satisfied, accomplished.

She also points at the pantry when she wants puffs and makes the sign language motion for ceiling fan while looking up at the ceiling.

She’s independent. She can’t walk by herself yet, but she wants so badly to let go of our hands. She’s also clingy. Sometimes I think she’s permanently affixed to my right shoulder. Or, at least, I think that she thinks she should be attached.

She talks. A lot. Sometimes I think we’re really having a conversation. Sometimes I think she’s giving me legitimate answers, even though everyone else probably just thinks it sounds like she’s babbling.

There are so many amazing aspects about being a mom, but I think one of the most astounding things is just watching the way your child becomes her own person, to go from those first few moments of her life – even those first few days and weeks – where she literally couldn’t do anything for herself. Now she has her own personality. She’s communicating with tools and skills and words, not just cries.

And we’re only 11 months in!

Part of me is excited to see what is still to come. The other part of me wants to bottle this time – right now – and stay here forever.

Oh bottle it up! I can't believe how quickly time goes by. It seems I just had my babies yesterday and now they are 15 and 12(in 6 days). That time went flying by. I remember seeing them discover new things, and trying new things. It was so exciting.

About

I’m Jenn. I’m a wife, mom, full-time sales rep, and part-time publisher. I have two little ones – Miss Mighty and The Boy. This blog is about my journey as a mom, raising these kids while also working full time in sales.